Multiple purpose hose nozzle



May 26, 1970 M. J. FREED 3,514,042

MULTIPLE PURPOSE HOSE NOZZLE Filed Aug. 21, 1967 l INVENTOR.

FIGZ MARVIN J FREED United States Patent Office 3,514,042 Patented May 26, 1970 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A multiple purpose nozzle which can be connected directly to a sprinkler, additional hose extension or the like to serve as a connector and which can also be used as a standard spray nozzle or as a soaking nozzle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention This invention relates to nozzles and more particularly to a multiple purpose hose nozzle which is designed for attachment to a hose for use as a conventional spray nozzle, a soaking nozzle, or for direct connection to a separate sprinkler member, or additional hose length or the like without having to be removed from the hose.

Description of the prior art Hose nozzles of this general type which are designed to function as both a soaking type nozzle and a spray type nozzle are known in the prior art. Also it is known in the prior art to provide nozzles wherein the head end is threaded for the application of additional hose lengths or various types of spraying devices. An example of a nozzle of the first type is found in U.S. Pat. No. 3,111,273, issued Nov. 19, 1963, and an example of a nozzle of the latter type is found in U.S. Pat. No. 2,629,633, issued Feb. 24, 1953. Among the disadvantages of these prior art nozzles are unnecessary bulkiness, rendering the nozzle unhandy in use, and impractical in structure, making the nozzle diflicult to manufacture, and hence unnecessarily high in cost. Also, the complex design of these nozzles limits their use for the average garden hose application due to the fact that their complicated design requires frequent maintenance or careful handling in order to prevent clogging or rusting.

SUMMARY According to the present invention, these difliculties are eliminated by the design of a sturdy and durable multiple purpose nozzle which can be permanently retained on the hose by serving as a connector for attachment to any conventional sprinkler, hose extension or the like. Due to the fact that the nozzle of the instant invention has a central exit fiow passage and an outer exit flow passage wherein both passages can be fed simultaneously together with other unique design features, it can be used as a connector without undue hindrance with the hydraulic flow through the nozzle.

It is accordingly one of the objects of the present invention to provide a sturdy and durable nozzle to be used as a standard nozzle, a soaking nozzle and a connector.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a nozzle wherein the fluid flow can be adjusted to provide for simultaneous inner and outer fluid flow passages to enable the nozzle to function as a connector or as a soaking nozzle.

Another object of the invention is to provide a nozzle whose overall dimensions are substantially less than conventional nozzles, yet all of the individual components thereof are of such sturdy design that such components may be conventionally manufactured from light weight material such as aluminum, magnesium, plastic or the like without fear of structural failure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The exact nature of the invention as well as other objects and advantages thereof will be readily apparent from consideration of the following specification relative to the attached drawings in which FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the nozzle of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section through the nozzle illustrating parts thereof in one position.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but illustrating parts of the nozzle in another position;

FIG. 4 is an end view of the nozzle of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows applicants device indicated generally at 10 in use as a conventional nozzle. As seen best in FIG. 2, the nozzle 10 has an outer sleeve 12 which has a frusto-conical shaped inner sleeve 14 received in an outwardly flaring or tapering bore 16 at one end thereof. The bore 16 blends into the cylindrical bore 17 which in turn communicates with inner bore 18. The sleeve 14 is internally threaded as at 20 to threadably receive the tubular core member generally indicated at 22, externally threaded as at 23. The core member 22 is provided with a reduced extension 24 having head 25 at its extremity and joined to the tube 22 by the conical portion 26.

The exterior surface 28 of the conical portion 26 together with the head 25, serves as the nozzle valve. Integrally formed with the sleeve member 12 is an annular throttling nozzle, generally indicated at 30, positioned forwardly of the cylindrical bore 18 and having inwardly projecting shoulder 32 to define a minimum diameter passage or orifice 33.

The nozzle assembly 10 includes a coupling member 34 which is internally threaded at one end 36 for connection with the hose 38 or the threaded end of any suitable form of conduit. The coupling member 34 is provided with a second internally threaded portion 40 threaded onto the rear end of core 22, as shown in FIG. 2. As the coupling member 34 operates unitarily with the core 22 it may be formed integral with the core or it may conveniently comprise the threaded assembly of members 22 and 34 as shown. In this way flow from the hose 38 flows through the core passage 21 and out the aligned orifices 42 at the conical end 26.

Suitable means to seal the central passage 44, such as the O-ring 46, is positioned around the core member 22 in the annular groove 48. Around the outer periphery of the nozzle 30 are a plurality of uniformly spaced outer tubular exit passages 50 arranged so that their principal axes are parallel to the axis 51 of the nozzle assembly 10 with their exit ends located within the conical face 54. A passage 55 is provided around the valve head of core 22 communicating with the orifices 42.

From the front of the valve head to the rear, the central passage 44 comprises the minimum diameter orifice 33 which can be engaged by the conically shaped surface 28 for cutting otf fluid flow through the nozzle. Immediately rearward of the orifice 33 the cylindrical bore 18 is of suflicient diameter to provide the large clearance 55 for unimpeded fluid flow around the core member '22.

A second outer flow passage 56, comprising the tubular passages 50, is provided to function with the flow passage 44, as seen in FIG. 3, upon axial movement of the sleeve member 12 away from member 34 in response to rotation of the sleeve relative to the core member 22. As the O-ring 46 is moved out of sealing engagement with bore 18, the clearance passage 55 is brought into communicationwith the enlarged annular chamber 45 which, in cooperation with the exit passages 50, provides the outer flow path 56.

It will be seen in FIG. 3 that when the O-ring 46 is within the chamber 45 flow from the passage 21 will exit simultaneously via the inner flow passage 44 and the outer flow passage 56 to provide the soaking or sprinkler can nozzle arrangement of the invention. Frurther rotation of sleeve 12 will move the end wall 57 of sleeve 14 into sealing engagement with the O-ring 46 to seal the chamber 45 and to provide a lock to prevent the unthreading of sleeve 12 from core member 22.

With the nozzle in the position described in FIG. 3 it can be seen that the flow paths 44 and 56 also allow the nozzle to function as a connector by having the external threads 58 for connection of a conventional lawn sprinkler, hose length or the like. By means of the simultaneous flow through the paths 44 and 56 applicant has achieved a nozzle design that minimizes the hydraulic loss through the nozzle to enable its use as a connector as well as a conventional and soaker nozzle.

It will be noted that chamber 45 is sealed by the sleeve 14 due to the wedging fit that is attained between the frusto-conical sleeve 14 and flared bore 16. Also, the axial length of the chamber 45 is accurately determined by the wedge fit of sleeve 14 so as to allow for proper flow to passages 50. A slight conical counterbore 59 is provided at the mouth of bore :18 to allow for smooth entry of O-ring 46 into the bore 18.

In the position of the nozzle in FIG. 3 wherein both flow passages 44 and 56 are provided, it can be seen that nozzle member functions as a soaking nozzle. By means of applicants design only a slight rotation of sleeve 12 will be sufiicient to eflect the necessary axial movement to change the nozzle member from a hard spray position to the soaking nozzle position of FIG. 3.

It will be appreciated that by locating the exit ends of the passages 50 within the conical surface 54, so as to be recessed from the end 31 of the nozzle, applicant not only attains the aforementioned sprinkler can nozzle adjustment but also, when the outer threaded end 58 is connected to an internally threaded coupling on a sprinkler, for example, provide for smooth hydraulic flow between the nozzle and the sprinkler conduit.

In this regard the location and size of the aligned orifices 42, wherein their transverse axis is located substantially in the plane of the base of conical portion 26, assists in the hydraulic flow through passages 44 and 56. The portion of the orifices 42 extending through conical portion 26 allows forward flow through passage 44, while also providing for transverse flow by means of passage 55 and chamber 45 which feed exit passages 50. The orifices 42 have a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of internal core passage 21 to provide for maximum flow through the nozzle.

The external surface of the sleeve 12 can be provided with longitudinal ribs (FIG. 1) to facilitate the grasping and rotating of the sleeve with respect to the core member by the finger of the operator.

What is claimed is:

1. A nozzle comprising,

(a) an outer sleeve member having a throttling nozzle at one end thereof, a central bore extending between said throttling nozzle and a c'ounterbored portion at the opposite end,

(b) a tubular core member adjustably positioned within said central bore of said sleeve member having one end adapted to be connected to a fluid outlet and a valve head portion on its opposite end for cooperation with said throttling nozzle, said core member having orifice means adjacent its head portion,

(c) a central passage between said core member and said sleeve providing communication between said orifice means and said throttling nozzle,

(d) an inner sleeve positioned in the counterbore portion of said outer sleeve member so as to define a chamber between said inner sleeve and the shoulder of the counterbore portion,

(e) outer fluid exit means in said sleeve member communicating with said orifice means, and

(f) said core member operative for positioning said orifice means in a first position communicating with said throttling nozzle and a second position for simultaneously communicating with both said throttling nozzle and said outer exit means.

2. The nozzle as defined in claim 1 wherein said outer exit means comprises a plurality of passages disposed around said throttling nozzle with their axes positioned substantially parallel to the axis of the nozzle.

3. The nozzle as defined in claim 1 and in which:

(a) said inner sleeve has a frusto-conical configuration, and

(b) the counter-bore is outwardly tapered to wedgingly receive said inner sleeve.

4. The nozzle as defined in claim 1 wherein said plurality of exit passages are located within the peripheral confines of the chamber.

5. The nozzle as defined in claim 1 wherein said plurality of exit passages are located within the conical counter-bore of said throttling nozzle.

6. The nozzle as defined in claim 1 wherein said core member has sealing means positioned therein for regulating the fluid flow of said nozzle between said first and second positions.

7. The nozzle as defined in claim 1 wherein:

(a) said core member having a frusto-conical portion between said head portion and said tubular portion, and

(b) said core orifice means comprising aligned openings located so that the openings extend on either side of the transition between the tubular portion and the frusto-conical portion of said core member.

8. The nozzle as defined in claim 6 wherein said sealing means comprises a single Oring positioned in said core member.

9. The nozzle as defined in claim 1 wherein said outer sleeve has external threads adjacent its throttling end for connection to a standard sprinkler or hose extension.

10. A nozzle comprising a sleeve member having an outlet at one end thereof, a central passage extending between said outlet and the opposite end,

said outlet having a reduced diameter section disposed within said central passage,

a core member adjustably positioned within said sleeve member central passage, having a central passage adapted for connection at one end with a fluid outlet and having a frusto-conical valve head portion at the opposite end, said core member being provided with means adjacent said valve head portion connecting said core member central passage with said sleeve member central passage whereby said valve head portion and said reduced diameter section of said outlet cooperate to regulate fluid flow through said outlet with said core member being adjustable between a first position closing fluid flow through said outlet and a second position wherein fluid flow through said reduced diameter portion is unrestricted by said valve portion,

said sleeve member central passage provided with an increased diameter portion disposed inwardly from said outlet to form a chamber and a plurality of annularly spaced axially extending passages registering with said chamber, and

sealing means mounted on and disposed between said core member and said sleeve member central passage intermediate said core member connecting means and said chamber and movable with said core member from said sleeve member central pas- 5 6 sage and into said chamber upon adjustment of 2,629,633 2/1953 Wright 239-448 X said core member to said second position so that 3,001,725 9/1961 Lockett 239458 fluid may flow simultaneously through said reduced 3,058,670 10/1962 Marotto et a1. 239-458 X diameter portion and around said core member and 3,111,273 11/1963 Mei 239441 X into said chamber and through said axially extend- 3,363,842 1/1968 Burns 239441 ing passages. 5 11. The nozzle as defined in claim 10, and in which FOREIGN PATENTS said sleeve member has external threads adjacent its 180,911 11/1935 switzfiflan outlet end for connection to a standard sprinkler or hose extension 10 EVERETT W. KIRBY, Primary Examiner References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 239438 441 448 1,973,371 9/ 1934 Charles et a1. 239-438 2,218,411 10/ 1940 Albach et al. 239-441 

